GUEST POST BY READERS’ FAVORITE BOOK REVIEWER DIVINE ZAPE: Five Stars Seventh Dimension - The Howling, A Young Adult Fantasy

Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite

The Howling is the sixth and final book in the Seventh Dimension Series by Lorilyn Roberts, an engrossing, delightful young adult fantasy that is filled with action, reflecting spiritual realities that are as transporting as they are inspiring. The narrative begins with a chariot race, a spellbinding competition between Daniel Sperling and Tariq, packed with intense emotion as readers watch the two daring competitors, but the race finishes quickly and in the stars. Daniel enters the Seventh Dimension, being one of the Jewish evangelists called by Yeshua and shortly before the return of the Messiah. The kingdom of God is near and there are challenges with a deception taking center stage in the life of the people. Daniel has to persevere and discern the light from falsehood. Can he complete the journey he’s begun without failing?

Daniel’s love for Shale and Shira is one of the themes developed in this story. The events unfold in the first person narrative, including Daniel’s and Shale’s viewpoints, and this allows readers to follow the story from the perspective of each character. The prose is exceptionally good and packed with spiritual symbolism. The chariot race is both an evocation of an era in Jewish history and the symbol of life. The book is filled with insightful and uplifting passages, defying time and space to present a message that inspires readers to look beyond time to see God’s presence in the “now.” Lorilyn Roberts states that “Time is an illusion until God’s appointed times,” thus inviting readers to consider end times from a fresh perspective. Apart from the beautiful prose in The Howling, the story is fast-paced and filled with twists that make for an enjoyable ride. I felt as though the story was taking place in my mind.

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Quotable Quote from The Howling

The wiry man whipped out his hand and pointed with a dramatic flair. “Have a seat. If you qualify after this demonstration, you’ll be given a special seat in the real dream reaper.” I looked behind the salesman at a most unusual contraption.

The woman was in her late twenties or early thirties and appeared to be in good health. Youth was leaving her, as it does for all of us, but she was too immature to have attained wisdom.

The woman poured out her heart to the stranger in extraordinary detail, expounding on all the unfair and unjust things that had happened to her, leading to a life in the gutter of despair. Always the victim, she wallowed in self-pity and rejection.

The merchant smiled. “You’re just the right person for the dream reaper. You deserve better. Don’t worry about the cost. You can pay it off in the next thirty years before your date with death.”

NEW BOOK RELEASE: “Seventh Dimension - The Howling: A Young Adult Fantasy,” by Lorilyn Roberts

I want to remind anyone who is looking for a good summer read that The Howling will be released June 1. If you buy it on or before June 1, you can get it for only $2.99. After that, the price will be $4.99. 

If I had to put a price tag on my minimum wage for writing The Howling, it probably wouldn’t even be a penny per hour. 

I must remind myself that I write for the glory of God.

However, that being said, here is my idea. If all my friends - okay, I know that won’t happen, but if some of my friends buy The Howling for $2.99 on or before June 1, that means that I will sell a few copies on that date, and it will push me up in the new release category for the week on Amazon.

When I think about what a witness the book is to the Lord’s return, I’m hopeful with good sales Amazon will promote The Howling to all those who aren’t saved because they promote new books that sell well. So, you would be helping to reach the lost in an indirect way. I can’t afford the kind of advertising it would take to get it in front of that many eyes.

There is much in this book that is a witness to Jesus, and it’s the last book in the Seventh Dimension Series, so please help me to reach more people by sharing it with your friends. I guarantee, if you read it, you will see the events surrounding Jesus’ return in a very different way. 

If you haven’t read the whole series, you can still enjoy the last book, The Howling, as a stand-alone. However, Amazon has already put together a page that has all six books listed where you can buy all of them easily. 

Here is the link to Amazon. 

Seventh Dimension Series

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BOOK REVIEW: “Seventh Dimension – The Howling: A Young Adult Fantasy,” Five stars from Readers' Favorite Reviewer K.C. Finn

Five Stars

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

The Howling is a work of Christian fantasy fiction written for young adults, penned by author Lorilyn Roberts. Forming the sixth book in the epic adventure series Seventh Dimension, this atmospheric novel continues the tale of Daniel, Shale, and Shira as Daniel enters the world as it was shortly before the Messiah arrives. 

Daniel has a powerful calling from God to fulfill, but the danger level is ever increasing and the fate of his father hangs in the balance after some shocking revelations. Only faith and love will see him have the strength to overcome the horrors he must endure, and unpick the deceptions that the so-called new world order offers.

Christian readers are certain to understand the many biblical references given in the text, which will no doubt enhance their enjoyment all the more of this exciting and dynamic fantasy series

Author Lorilyn Roberts has produced a deep and profound journey quite unlike anything I’ve ever read before, with a cast of truly compelling characters and a message of undying faith, scrutiny of the false, and a deep belief in God’s love in the heart of every hero. 

I particularly liked Daniel and Shale as a central pair, learning from their past experiences and growing up before your eyes with the challenges which they face. The past comes to light in some extraordinary descriptive scenes too, and fans of the Seventh Dimension series are sure to find that The Howling is another excellent continuation of a powerful and poignant collection.

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BOOK EXCERPT: SEVENTH DIMENSION - THE HOWLING: A Young Adult Fantasy, Book 6

Chapter 1

My horses, Mosi and Oni, took the lead. I could taste victory—sweet victory. They could run like gazelles when I let them. Just one more lap. I heard the roaring crowd chanting my name.

“Run!” I shouted. We passed Tariq, and a scowl covered his brow. He slapped the reins at me in a last-ditch attempt to yank me off the chariot, but I was a seasoned racer now. No chance of that happening.

We rounded the first turn, and I kept my distance. I didn’t want any more trickery or sleight of hand—like Tariq sawing off my wheel. The other racers had been knocked out or given up. Only Tariq was left, but dropping farther behind. The finish line called my name.

Less than a minute later, I threw up my hands triumphantly. I flicked the reins to slow the horses, and the people drummed their feet in the stands. Celebratory flowers littered the Hippodrome as the fickleness of the spectators never ceased to amaze me. The Romans believed I was a criminal and a Jewish one at that. Now that I was the winner—making risky gamblers wealthy—the crowd was on my side. Besides, everybody loved an underdog.

I relaxed for a moment in all the accolades. The Roman authorities wouldn’t dare arrest me. The last thing Pontius Pilate wanted was a riot on his hands and be called back to Rome.

Now was my turn for sweet revenge. What had Tariq done to my father? And that time traveler who terrified Shale at the inn, Tariq must know who sent him.

I searched for my betrothed and Shira behind Pontius Pilate and his entourage, but I couldn’t find them. Out of nowhere, I saw Much-Afraid scurrying across the racetrack. What was Shale’s dog doing here? Horses and chariots were everywhere. Fear that she might get trampled made me panic.

As I was scheming how to help her, a mysterious cloud settled over the racetrack. Amid the fanfare, I heard someone whisper, “Daniel, the race isn’t over.”

Of course, the race was over. I looked around. Who said that, but I couldn’t see anyone in the fog.

The noise of squeaking wheels and cheering fans began to fade into the distance. When the haze lifted, I saw an open scroll, and Tariq and I were racing again—this time among the stars.

I am excited to be publishing the last book in the Seventh Dimension Series, The Howling. It has taken me six years to write the series, and what a journey it's been. 

The full six-volume set is now available on Amazon at the low price of $9.99. Click here to learn more. It is also FREE in Kindle Unlimited for a limited time!

AND I WILL RESTORE TO YOU THE YEARS THAT THE LOCUSTS HATH EATEN: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts

 ^“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten…” Joel 2:25 (KJV)

“I took away her dreams,” my husband told the judge. His words stung. My dreams of bearing children, finishing my college degree, and pursuing my goal of becoming a writer seemed impossible. At thirty, I hit rock bottom and started over in a dead-end job I hated. Tears welled up as I wept bitterly.

Thirty-three years later, I thank God he did not save my marriage. As an abuse survivor, I learned to be kind to myself. Prayer and reading God’s Word helped me to heal. I discovered freedom through travel. I found new ways to earn my college degree and studied internationally. I eventually earned my Master of Arts in Creative Writing. I learned to keep a short memory. I overcame bitterness by developing a positive attitude. I discovered beauty because I chose to look for it. I learned to love better and adopted two beautiful little girls from Nepal and Vietnam. I homeschooled them and learned patience. I chose to forgive. I was most surprised to learn that locusts can only eat so much. Then they die.

With the wind at my back and the sand underneath my feet, I no longer lament the years the locusts stole from me. They aren’t worth remembering. Only my footprints remain for others to follow. Instead, I’m thankful. Nothing is ever wasted, especially suffering. By taking that first step toward healing, we can share our victories despite our pain. Others will be encouraged when they see our footprints and know someone has gone before. 

Prayer:  Loving Father, help us to follow your footprints in the sand as we leave our own, forgetting the past and looking forward to the future.

BOOK EXCERPT: SEVENTH DIMENSION - THE CASTLE: A Young Adult Fantasy: “The Resurrection”

THE RESURRECTION

I sensed I was no longer in the garden. In front of me was a cave.

When I stood, I ached all over.

Somebody approached. I ran and hid.

A Roman official accompanied by two men in chains became visible. Another guard brought up the rear. The four men stopped at the entrance to the cave.

One of the prisoners said, “We rolled this huge boulder up to the entrance. It must weigh four thousand pounds. And we sealed it to make sure no one moved it—even if they were strong enough.”

The official picked up a rock and slammed it on the ground. “Yet it was moved. How did the rabble-rouser escape? A dead man doesn’t climb out of a grave.”

“A thief stole the body,” one of the men said.

“Did you fall asleep?” the official asked.

“No, we did not fall asleep. We took turns sleeping. Someone was always awake.”

The official glared at them. “How could someone have stolen the body if you didn’t fall asleep?”

They exchanged glances. “We don’t know.”

“We must make up a story,” the official said. “We’ll tell Pilate Yeshua’s disciples stole his body. We’ll give you money to keep quiet, and you can pray you aren’t executed for leaving your post.”

One of the soldiers insisted, “He was gone when we left. We didn’t leave our post.”

“You ran away,” the official insisted, “like cowards.”

Silence followed.

One of the men remarked, “See how the boulder is rolled away. Up a slope, not back from the entrance but away from the entire sepulcher. It would have taken several men to move it that distance. How could no one have heard anything? Other guards were nearby.”

The official smirked. “So the rock moved on its own. Yeshua’s disciples slipped in and stole his body, even though you were awake and saw no one?”

“We didn’t fall asleep. There must be another explanation.”

The official fumed. “You can give that other explanation to Pilate before your execution.”

The officials stomped off with their imprisoned former guards. After a couple of minutes, their voices faded in the distance.

The urgency to get Shale’s diary made me impatient to leave, but my body didn’t want to cooperate. I ached all over, including my head, but I was also anxious to examine the empty tomb. How fortunate I was to have stumbled upon it.

Before I moved, another person approached. I stayed hidden.

Soon I saw Mark riding on Truth.

I waved at him from behind the trees. “What are you doing here?”

He trotted over to me. “I found you at last.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked again.

“Well,” Mark stammered. “I wanted to follow you. I lost you when you galloped away, but I had a feeling you were going to the garden. I didn’t find you there, but I found your horse.”

Mark was too smart for his own good.

“After hearing what Mary of Magdala said, I wanted to visit the tomb. Alas, I find you here.”

“You seem to have a habit of secretly following people,” I remarked.

The boy dismounted. “Only people I care about. Besides, someone was about to steal your horse. I ran him off.”

I sighed. “Thank you. I didn’t think about that.”

I had an idea. “Mark, would you like to keep Truth for a while?”

“Truth?”

“The horse.”

“Sure,” Mark replied.

“I need to go to Galilee and return Baruch to his owner.”

“Who is Baruch?” Mark asked.

“The donkey. He’s near the garden entrance. And you can’t follow me to Galilee.”

Mark laughed. “I have no desire to follow you to Galilee. That’s a long way.”

I nodded.

Mark glanced at the tomb. “Did you check inside the sepulcher?”

I shook my head. “No. The Romans just left a minute ago. I haven’t had a chance.”

“Let’s go see.” Mark ran over and I followed.

All that remained was Yeshua’s grave clothes. The wrappings were in the position of a body, slightly caved in, and empty.

“It’s like he left his clothes behind,” Mark commented.

“You would know about that, wouldn’t you?” I responded.

Mark turned red in the face. “That’s not funny, you know.”

I ran my hand through my hair. “You’re right, Mark. I’m sorry.”

Mark shrugged.

I shook my head. That was poor comic relief. “I feel nervous being here. It’s too weird.”

“I know,” Mark said. “It’s creepy.”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “We need to leave before they discover something else.”

“Like what?”

“Don’t ask.” We lingered for a moment longer. Mark wasn’t ready.

“Mary must be right,” exclaimed Mark. “I had to see for myself.”

“Which way is it to the garden? I’m worried about Baruch.”

“How can you not remember?” Mark asked.

“I hit my head yesterday when I fell. It affected my memory.” That was partially true.

“Follow me,” the boy replied.

Garden of Gethsemane

We returned to the garden and found Baruch waiting in the back where Shale and I had left him.

“Do you want some apples?” Mark offered. “I found these.”

“Sure.”

He pulled out several and handed me one. He also gave some to Truth and Baruch. “Donkeys love apples, too.”

As I put the apple in my bag, distant voices filled the garden. How long would it be before they found Judas’s body and the dead guard?

“Mark, we need to leave. Promise me you will take Truth and go back to Bethany now?”

The boy nodded.

I helped him on the horse. “Thank you for taking care of Truth.”

“I’m glad to,” Mark replied.

I slapped the horse’s rear and watched as they cantered away. Once they disappeared, I mounted Baruch.

“Let’s go, hurry.”

The donkey barely moved. I’d forgotten how slow donkeys were. But at last, he did move—at a donkey’s pace. When we reached the main road to Galilee, his slow speed didn’t matter. Hundreds of weary travelers were also traveling home.

While I was grateful for the crowds to help hide me from the Romans, getting there quickly was another matter. We would need to stay overnight in Dothan as the trip to Galilee would take longer than I anticipated.

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KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: …and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4 (KJV)

“…and knowledge shall be increased.” The amount of information available at our fingertips has exploded in the last few years. Scientists tell us until the early 1900s, knowledge was doubling every hundred years. At the end of 1945, that rate had increased to every twenty-five years. In today’s world, thanks to the Internet, the doubling of knowledge happens in as little as twelve hours.

 Examples of the exponential increase in technology are endless. The Chinese robot, Sophia, is the most advanced robot ever created. We ask Seri and Alexa questions as if they were human and smarter than we are. 

No more do we need wires running through our house to connect us to the other side of the world. We have wireless. We can call anywhere for free—or send an email or enjoy videos and jpegs on social networking sites from Antarctica to Timbuktu. 

This expansion of knowledge is linked to the Worldwide Web. Scientists predict every place on earth will be connected by the super-information highway in the next few years.

The three “W’s” in Worldwide Web are represented by the letter Vav in Hebrew, and it is the sixth letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Is there any coincidence that WWW, the symbol for the Worldwide Web, becomes 666 when switched to a numerical value in Hebrew? Because the number one source of information today is shared on a platform symbolized in Hebrew by 666, interesting questions arise. To quote Sir Francis Bacon, “information is power.” 

Most Christians know the number 666 is associated with the most powerful ruler that will walk the earth. He will control the information highway, including all buying and all selling. Those who want to survive will be forced to receive his mark on their right hand or forehead. Satan’s deception will come through this lawless one as well as others because they will not know the knowledge of the Holy One. The minds of unbelievers will be blinded, and because of hardened hearts, God will send a strong delusion that, if it were possible, could deceive even the elect.

 Too many will believe what is false. Too many will reject the truth because they prefer pleasure in unrighteousness. We are already seeing that today, and things will only get worse. Some will be enticed away from God because of their own lusts. Others will not be willing to endure sound teaching. We live in a “me-my-mine” world, where people believe they are entitled, are easily offended, and self-indulgent, where truth is relative and moral values reversed. Evil is called good and good is called evil.

Despite the chaos that is coming, God’s definition of knowledge in Daniel 12:8 is a different kind of knowledge that will increase, a knowledge that will fill the minds of Christ followers with understanding that far surpasses the knowledge of the heathen, knowledge far more significant and compelling than what can be found on the Worldwide Web.

When the Bible refers to “knowledge” in Daniel 12:5, the context does not refer to man’s knowledge bolstered by artificial intelligence or a beast system that’s coming. God’s promises include discernment that will help us to know the difference between real news and fake news, what’s right and what’s wrong, absolute truth and relative truth, and the difference between good and evil.

God created good and evil. He put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden. Just as Adam and Eve were tested, a time of testing is coming upon us, to separate the wheat from the tares—those who love the truth from those who love the darkness.

Where evil abounds, God abounds more. All manner of wisdom in the form of art and craftsmanship will be magnified. God only requires our complete obedience. By faithfully following our Lord and Savior, we can understand all knowledge and all mysteries.

No matter how dire the circumstances, the Word of the Lord is forever. God’s wisdom is sweet, like manna from heaven. Knowledge of the Lord will be as the waters cover the sea, and everything hidden will be revealed. We can take heart that those who love Jesus and are called according to his purpose will be full of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, from now until eternity.

You can read more of Lorilyn Roberts’ blogposts at LorilynRoberts.com